MEDIA RELEASE
15 September 2017

Healthy Rivers Roadshow unites Murray Darling Basin communities

Murray-Darling Basin communities are standing up for the Basin Plan at a series of public meetings. After winding its way through 13 communities across the Murray-Darling Basin, from Dubbo to Broken Hill, from Renmark to Meningie, the Healthy Rivers Roadshow culminates in Adelaide on Friday 22 September.

The series of events across the Basin are providing a chance for community members to unite, connect and speak out so our rivers and our communities can thrive.

Healthy Rivers Roadshow attendees can hear from River Fellows and local community members, including river management experts, bird lovers, traditional owners, irrigators, pastoralists and artists. They can pick up information about how to get involved in standing up for the river, sign a petition, and record a video message to send straight to decision makers in Canberra.

Adelaide Healthy Rivers Ambassador and river ecologist Dr Anne Jensen said it was hoped the meetings “would motivate community members to speak up in support of a strong, fair Basin Plan to keep rivers flowing and healthy enough to support all communities, upstream and downstream.”

Lower Darling Healthy Rivers Ambassador and grazier Katharine McBride agreed, adding “it’s important that people across the Murray-Darling Basin stand up and support healthy communities and country for future generations.”

In the wake of scathing media reports about alleged corrupt behaviour and water theft by “rogue irrigators” it is hoped the Healthy Rivers Roadshow events will galvanise community members to stand up and make a real difference for our precious rivers.

Conservation SA Chief Executive Craig Wilkins said, "At a time when the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is under attack, and revelations about dodgy behaviour by upstream irrigators continue, it's never been more important for South Australians to stand up in defence of a healthy Murray."

The Healthy Rivers Roadshow hits South Australia next week: Renmark, Mon 18; Murray Bridge, Tue 19; Meningie, Wed 20; Goolwa, Thu 21; culminating on Fri 22 in Adelaide.

The Healthy Rivers Roadshow is a collective effort of the River Fellows group supported by the Lifeblood Alliance, including Australian Conservation Foundation, Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, Conservation SA and Environment Victoria.

RELEASE ENDS

Further comment:

Dr Anne Jensen, 0407 170 706
Katharine McBride, 0401 612 664
Craig Wilkins, 0417 879 439